Sapphire hunting

[Earthwerks]

Hi- long time lurker. I'm hoping that some PS'ers with their vast knowledge can help me out. I've read so much here, but I still can't figure things out.
I'm looking for a three stone sapphire ring. The attached is my ideal ring, size, color, everything. I emailed the vendor for more information- never got a response. There looks to be some inclusions in the center stone, and I think I could do better on the price. I think I could do better in general if I find the stone myself. I'm so sick of paying retail!! Actually in the case of jewelry- 3 x retail!! I told my husband I wanted a 'big honking sapphire', and he would end up at the local jeweler. I don't want that to happen- not to mention this is a fun little project for me.
I really love the step cuts or even cushion, and the color of the sapphire in the pic is exactly what I'm looking for. I also love Elizabeth Hurley (broken) engagement ring. I have a diamond (with halo) that is 12mm across, so I'd want the sapphire to be bigger. I understand that carat weight does not equal size in colored stones. As far as budget? Maybe around 20,000. Less would be great.
I hope this enough info to get some suggestions and I hope the attachment works. .
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/824-carat-natural-deep-blue-step-cut-sapphire-diamond-platinum-ring/id-j_1425753/

 

[chrono]

Inclusion - could be eye clean. It is hard to say because of the very high magnification.

Colour - looks very nice in the lab report but horrible in the photographs. I'm not sure whether it is because Thailand (where the lab is) has strong sunlight so the sapphire looks brighter. It looks a bit on the dark side in the other pictures.

Cut - really poor. They tried to make it less dark and preserve the carat weight of the original rough. It has a honking huge bay door where light leaks through and is a pancake stone (low crown and nearly 50% depth). I think this sapphire will look rather dull and lifeless in person.

 

[soxfan]

THIS, in my opinion, is the holy grail of three stone sapphire rings, and it belongs to a PS'er. Joe Escobar made this. I would call him. This is on my "must have before I die" list. Thread:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/three-stone-sapphire-ring-by-joe-escobar.201631/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/three-stone-sapphire-ring-by-joe-escobar.201631/[/URL]

 

[chrono]

Not a 3 stone but this makes me weak every time I look at it.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-7-stone-emerald-cut-blue-sapphire-ring.175313/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-7-stone-emerald-cut-blue-sapphire-ring.175313/[/URL]

 

[Earthwerks]

Thanks for the info. The vendor has sent me a prosessionally shot iPhone video and the inclusion is very visible. I guess I'll forever scratch it off my list.

Chrono - Thanks for your input and that emerald cut is PERFECTION!!

 

[chroman]

This might be a section of the market where our usual vendors don't have a lot of listings, just because of slowly it moves. Maybe try reaching out to some people (Roger Dery comes to mind) about what might be out there in this sort of price range. I suspect there are a lot of poorly cut stones, because people are trying to save weight in this catagory. Depending on whats out there, a recut might be something to consider (yet another plus for chatting with someone like Roger).

Are you wed to the shape of your inspiration ring? If so, that will cut down the options even further. Are there some rings you've seen with ovals perhaps?

Another thought if you have some time and arn't having much luck by the end of the year - see if a vendor might be willing to look for something suitable in Tuscon next year.

In a quick scan of a couple vendors, here's one of the closer stones I saw to your inspiration (but still with nice color and cut):
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=6774

 

[OTL]

Not a 3 stone but this makes me weak every time I look at it.
<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-7-stone-emerald-cut-blue-sapphire-ring.175313/</span>

wow, me too! I think my heart just skips a beep...

 

[Earthwerks]

Not reall crazy about ovals. Is there some reason why that is such a popular shape for sapphires?

 

[chroman]

I think it usually has to do with shapes that are good fits for the rough, to maximize cut weight.

Looking at 10k+ sapphires is actually kind of depressing to see how many super-dark, horribly cut, cloudy stones are out there. Just because its a honker doesnt mean its good looking So many stones that look like this:
http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/6.63-Carat-Cushion-Sapphire-S43041CU/

But, for some of the nicer ones..

Here's one of the nicer emerald cuts i saw (though it might have a window):
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7698

This is unheated, and hence the price, and the outline looks a little funny , but oh the color!
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7821

If this doesn't lean too purple, and cushions appeal:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7176

Another cushion, bigger, but looks nice and bright:
http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/6.22-Carat-Cushion-Sapphire-S43068CU/

 

[qubitasaurus]

Have you tried looking at Wild's global minerals? They will probably have some nice examples of larger sapphires.

 

[Earthwerks]

Gigti- Thanks for the suggestion. I'd like to keep to US vendors, seem easier for shipping, etc.


Chrono- once again, thanks for the suggestions- I really appreciate any time you are investing into my little project. I like the stones from Perelman and the GemsNY stone. I guess the only way to really know for sure is to actually but them.

Does anyone have experience with either vendor, and experience with purchasing and returning stones in general? I've never bought anything like this through the interweb before - makes me a bit nervous.

 

[chroman]

Just in case you haven't seen it, this might be a interesting thread to look through:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/

Folks here are really skilled at looking at vendor photos - so asking for additional pics, and additional specifics of the vendors would be something to do when you see an interesting stone listed online. Try and get photos in different lighting environments, and ask about any shifts to purple that the stone might have in particular lighting. If there are multiple interesting stones from the same vendor, ask if its feasible to have them photographed side-by-side.

While I haven't personally dealt with either vendor, Pearlmans is on our trusted vendor list:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/list-of-vendors-for-reference.208782/

And I know others have had good experiences with them.

 

[chroman]

Another possiblility, also unheated:
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_28_carat/20172/19056

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Have you tried looking at Wild's global minerals? They will probably have some nice examples of larger sapphires.

terrific gems, and I think they are connected with Wilds in Germany.
BUT: why can't they show prices????? Without prices it is all no fun looking. Plus you get the idea, that different people get different prices. that also is ?????

 

[chroman]

Ouu, here's another; 9.38x7.54x5.9, 3.65 ct unheated:
https://www.store.palagems.com/php/db_search_v4.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=19550

Pala doesn't sell direct, so you'd need to go through a third party. If that doesn't end up being too dark in hand..

 

[Earthwerks]

The stone from Pala is gorgeous!

 

[chroman]

Agreed! At least from the one pic

You might want to start a new thread asking about how ppl have dealt with Pala in the past. I'd be worried that the question would get missed if we posed it here.

 

[chroman]

Any luck tracking down your dream sapphire?

 

[Earthwerks]

Almost!! Thanks for asking. I was driving my husband crazy asking his opinion on stones and rings and settings- and he contacted a business associate who is a jeweler in South Carolina. He sent me a few pics of stones and I picked the one I liked best - a nice, fat cushion) and he sourced a few different side stones for me to look at. I really wanted half moons or trapezoid- but he put the sapphire with epaulettes. Now, I had only ever seen epaulettes in pictures, and even then not that often, but OMG!! they are amazing!! He is sending me the three stones to look at (should get them tomorrow), I have my fingers crossed- I love it from the pics, but seeing it in person is a different story. I know the sapphire is 7.17 carats, unbeaten and eye clean. He's also sending the lab reports for us to look at. So, even though this was my little project, my husband took control over it- which in the end is ok - I would end up feeling terribly guilty about spending so much money on myself. I'll post a pic as soon as I can.

 

[chroman]

Congratulations - I hope the stones look awesome in person! You know you'll have to post pics for us to drool over, right

I still have a crush on that Pala sapphire though (luckily, not the funds!!)